Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. Started in the 1860's by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Over 100 units will participate in the Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain the many hundreds of thousands of people who come to watch it on the street or tune in to watch it on television on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26, 6:00-8:00 PM, on Saturday, February 23, 2019.Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite will be the new & spectacular 288' Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung"). It takes a team of over 180 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane, to carry the Golden Dragon through the streets of San Francisco.This year's Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or stars.
Please Note: This is a smoke free event.
For more information, please visit the Southwest Chinese New Year Parade & Festival Official Website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chinese New Year Parade?The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, celebrating the Year of the Pig, will be on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 5:15 PM, stepping off at Second and Market Streets. It is a free event for all to attend but tickets must be purchased to sit in the bleacher sections.
How can one participate in the Chinese New Year Parade?If your organization is interested in participating in the parade, please read the rules and regulations and fill out the parade application posted HERE.
Where is the best place to view the parade and what time should we arrive?The entire parade route is an excellent place to view the parade but it does get more crowded as you get closer to Chinatown. Choose a spot before 4:30 PM. If you have bleacher seat tickets, you will want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive earlier.
Are there Wheelchair Accessible Seating Locations?There will be designated wheelchair parking within the bleacher seat areas. The person in the wheelchair does not require a ticket but attendant(s) accompanying persons in wheelchair must purchase a Bleacher Seat ticket and will need to sit in the designated bleacher seat areas.
How do I purchase bleacher seats?We have partnered with Evenbrite to provide digital tickets to our attendees. The cost is $35.00 per ticket. Tickets will be e-mailed to you or available within your Eventbrite App for your mobile device. (All ticket sales are final and are non-refundable)
Do I need to purchase a bleacher ticket for my child?Children 2 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult bleacher ticket holder.
Where are the Bleachers located?Section A is located at Kearny Street (between Washington & Jackson Streets)Section B is located at Kearny Street (between California & Sacramento Streets)Section C is located at Post St. (between Grant Ave and Kearny Streets)
Every bleacher ticket will have an assigned location and you may sit anywhere you like in your assigned location. Due to the early street closures by law enforcement and the crowds which build up,
Please try to be in your seats by 3:00 pm.
Important: Your receipt will not permit you to sit in the bleachers, you must present your Eventbrite ticket at a Check-In station and you will be given a badge to display while you sit within the bleacher areas.
What items are prohibited at the parade?This is a public event and we ask that you obey all local laws and regulations in regards to items that cannot be brought in public, e.g. no weapons, firearms, explosives, drones, etc. In consideration of others. we also ask that no coolers, pets, selfie-sticks, or camera tripods are allowed in the bleacher sections.
Is the parade going to be cancelled if it rains? How long is the parade?No, the parade will not be cancelled if it rains and the parade is approximately 2-1/2 hours.
What is the best way to get to the parade?We strongly suggest everyone take public transportation. More information: HERE
Where are the portables restrooms?Portables will be placed throughout the parade route typically close to the bleacher areas.
What if I have more questions?For further questions, please contact the Parade Office @ (415) 889-8823 or [email protected]
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. Started in the 1860's by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Over 100 units will participate in the Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain the many hundreds of thousands of people who come to watch it on the street or tune in to watch it on television on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26, 6:00-8:00 PM, on Saturday, February 23, 2019.Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite will be the new & spectacular 288' Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung"). It takes a team of over 180 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane, to carry the Golden Dragon through the streets of San Francisco.This year's Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or stars.
Please Note: This is a smoke free event.
For more information, please visit the Southwest Chinese New Year Parade & Festival Official Website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chinese New Year Parade?The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, celebrating the Year of the Pig, will be on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 5:15 PM, stepping off at Second and Market Streets. It is a free event for all to attend but tickets must be purchased to sit in the bleacher sections.
How can one participate in the Chinese New Year Parade?If your organization is interested in participating in the parade, please read the rules and regulations and fill out the parade application posted HERE.
Where is the best place to view the parade and what time should we arrive?The entire parade route is an excellent place to view the parade but it does get more crowded as you get closer to Chinatown. Choose a spot before 4:30 PM. If you have bleacher seat tickets, you will want to give yourself plenty of time to arrive earlier.
Are there Wheelchair Accessible Seating Locations?There will be designated wheelchair parking within the bleacher seat areas. The person in the wheelchair does not require a ticket but attendant(s) accompanying persons in wheelchair must purchase a Bleacher Seat ticket and will need to sit in the designated bleacher seat areas.
How do I purchase bleacher seats?We have partnered with Evenbrite to provide digital tickets to our attendees. The cost is $35.00 per ticket. Tickets will be e-mailed to you or available within your Eventbrite App for your mobile device. (All ticket sales are final and are non-refundable)
Do I need to purchase a bleacher ticket for my child?Children 2 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult bleacher ticket holder.
Where are the Bleachers located?Section A is located at Kearny Street (between Washington & Jackson Streets)Section B is located at Kearny Street (between California & Sacramento Streets)Section C is located at Post St. (between Grant Ave and Kearny Streets)
Every bleacher ticket will have an assigned location and you may sit anywhere you like in your assigned location. Due to the early street closures by law enforcement and the crowds which build up,
Please try to be in your seats by 3:00 pm.
Important: Your receipt will not permit you to sit in the bleachers, you must present your Eventbrite ticket at a Check-In station and you will be given a badge to display while you sit within the bleacher areas.
What items are prohibited at the parade?This is a public event and we ask that you obey all local laws and regulations in regards to items that cannot be brought in public, e.g. no weapons, firearms, explosives, drones, etc. In consideration of others. we also ask that no coolers, pets, selfie-sticks, or camera tripods are allowed in the bleacher sections.
Is the parade going to be cancelled if it rains? How long is the parade?No, the parade will not be cancelled if it rains and the parade is approximately 2-1/2 hours.
What is the best way to get to the parade?We strongly suggest everyone take public transportation. More information: HERE
Where are the portables restrooms?Portables will be placed throughout the parade route typically close to the bleacher areas.
What if I have more questions?For further questions, please contact the Parade Office @ (415) 889-8823 or [email protected]
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2nd Street at Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
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